Faculty
are listed by Department within their Research Areas,
with descriptions of their active projects.
ANATOMY AND NEUROBIOLOGY
SUSAN E. LEEMAN
Professor; PhD, Radcliffe College
Work continues to focus on the two peptides, substance P (SP) and
neurotensin, that were isolated and chemically defined in this laboratory.
Projects that are currently underway relating to the biochemistry
and pharmacology of SP include studies to determine the binding
domains of SP with its receptor using photoactivatable derivatives
of SP containing the photoreactive amino acid benzoylphenylalanine;
to determine the binding domains of an antagonist of SP, CP 96,345
using a photoactivatable derivative of this compound; the role of
SP in inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract using
non-peptide SP antagonists to inhibit intestinal responses to Clostridium
difficile Toxin A; the characterization of calcium signals generated
by administration of SP to CHO cells transfected with mRNA encoding
the full-length SP receptor and a truncated form of the SP receptor
missing the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail; the effects of stress on
the SP responsive functional properties of peritoneal macrophages
elicited by thioglycolate administration. A new project is the development
of a diphtheria toxin related SP-fusion protein that is cytotoxic
for cells expressing SP receptors.
Projects relating to neurotensin in the CNS
focus mainly on the participation of neurotensin in the central
nervous system regulation of LH secretion. A study on the effect
of estrogen on the decreasing abundance of mRNA encoding the neurotensin
receptor in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of female rats is in progress.
In addition, a project has been initiated to study the interactions
of NT and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on responses of the
intestine and colon to immobilization stress in rats.
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DEPARTMENT
OF BIOLOGY
PAUL B. COOK
Assistant Professor of Biology; PhD, University of California, Berkeley
Processing of visual signals by the vertebrate retina involves interactions
between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, the strength of which
varies according to several parameters including the spatial properties
of the cells and the temporal characteristics of their signals.
In addition many of these interactions are modulated during changes
in adaptational state such as the change in gap junction coupling
between horizontal cells, or the responsiveness of retinal neurons
to the excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate.
In order to understand these interactions my
laboratory employs several techniques including whole cell patch-clamp
from retinal neurons in the flat mount/isolated retina and in the
retinal slice preparations. Synaptic inputs can be elicited with
stimuli such as patterned and random light stimuli, focal electrical
stimulation of the retinal circuitry, and focal application of analogues,
agonists and antagonists.
Computational models of neural function will
complement the physiological studies. Particularly significant questions
include the effects of anatomical constraints of the cells comprising
specialized retinal circuits, effects of electrical coupling between
neurons, the functional role of pre- and postsynaptic inhibition
on shaping the temporal and spatial responses of cells, and the
effects of modulation of synaptic inputs on retinal processing.
For more information regarding Paul B. Cook's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://www.bu.edu/biology/Faculty_Staff/cook.html
VINCENT E. DIONNE
Professor of Biology; PhD, University of Arizona
Chemosensory physiology: research on the cellular mechanisms underlying
the detection and discrimination of odors by olfactory receptor
neurons in vertebrates. Electrophysiological, anatomical, histochemical
and molecular biological techniques are used in the laboratory.
For more information regarding Vincent E. Dionne's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://www.bu.edu/biology/Faculty_Staff/vdionne.html
WILLIAM D. ELDRED
Professor of Biology; Professor in the Molecular Biology,
Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program; Professor in the Program
in
Neuroscience; Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems Research
Fellow; PhD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
We are doing multidisciplinary studies of the role of cGMP in synaptic
mechanisms in retinal neurons. These studies employ immunocytochemistry,
retrograde tracers, intracellular injections, pharmacology, electrophysiology,
biochemistry and image analysis at the light and electron microscopic
levels. Particular emphasis is placed on regional differences in
the retina and the biochemical and pharmacological mechanisms for
modulating cGMP in identified neurons.
For more information regarding William D. Eldred's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://www.bu.edu/biology/Faculty_Staff/eldred.html
JEN-WEI LIN
Professor of Biology; PhD, SUNY—Buffalo
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter secretion
Neurotransmitter secretion is a complicated process that involves
ion channel gating and secretion steps. In addition, the mobilization
and recycling of synaptic vesicles are needed to maintain the function
of a synapse and to contribute to synaptic plasticity. Ultimately,
an understanding of the secretory events means that one can establish
a kinetic scheme for this multi-step process and identify molecules
responsible for each step. Therefore, a combined electrophysiological
and molecular approach is used in my laboratory to investigate these
questions.
For more information regarding Jen-Wei Lin's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://www.bu.edu/biology/Faculty_Staff/jenwelin.html
SUSAN TSUNODA
Assistant Professor of Biology;
PhD, Washington University School of Medicine
Every cell is faced with the task of sorting through a vast array
of extracellular signals and transducing them into the appropriate
intracellular responses. How do signaling molecules within one pathway
activate downstream components with the necessary speed and specificity,
while avoiding cross-talk with other pathways in the same cell?
There is increasing recognition that this is accomplished by organizing
signaling components into physically and functionally distinct signaling
complexes. Our long-term interest is to understand how this organization
is achieved and maintained, and how it produces effective signaling.
We use Drosophila phototransduction as a model system for studying
the organization of signaling cascades. Phototransduction in Drosophila
is a G-protein-coupled signaling pathway similar to many other signaling
cascades. Drosophila is an ideal model organism for studying intracellular
signaling because it is amenable to combining a wide variety of
experimental approaches to address biological questions. Classical
genetic schemes can be used to isolate mutants, defects can be characterized
using biochemical, cell-biological, and electrophysiological approaches,
while powerful molecular-genetic techniques can be used to identify
the affected molecules and examine the function of the proteins
they encode in vivo.
How are signaling complexes assembled, targeted,
and anchored in photoreceptor cells? How does a photoreceptor ensure
that transduction complexes have the appropriate composition of
components and that they are situated in the proper location? Drosophila
offers the opportunity to take a genetic approach to identifying
the molecules involved in the assembly and localization of complexes,
and to study the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes
in vivo.
For more information regarding Susan Tsunoda's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://www.bu.edu/biology/Faculty_Staff/tsunoda.html
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DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL
ENGINEERING
H. STEVEN COLBURN
Professor, Biomedical Engineering;
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. Colburn's research involves the application of signal processing,
statistical communication theory, and computational modeling to
the study of hearing and hearing impairments. He is particularly
interested in the measurement and modeling of binaural hearing performance.
He is also interested in human-machine interfaces for virtual environments
and teleoperators.
For more information regarding H. Steve Colburn's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://bme.bu.edu/faculty/colburn.html
DAVID C. MOUNTAIN, Jr.
Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Associate Research Professor,
Otolaryngology, School of Medicine; PhD, University of Wisconsin
Auditory information processing, sensory biophysics, computer simulation,
biomedical electronics, biomedical signal and image processing.
Dr. Mountain's research centers around experimental
and theoretical studies of hearing function including: cochlear
biomechanics, otacoustic emissions, auditory processing of complex
sounds, and auditory evoked potentials. Professor Mountain also
collaborates with researchers from the Boston University Marine
Program who are studying olfactory physiology and behavior.
For more information regarding David C. Mountain's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://www.bme.bu.edu/faculty/mountain.html
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DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE
AND NEURAL SYSTEMS
DANIEL H. BULLOCK
Associate Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems and
Psychology; PhD, Stanford University
Integrated neural network models of sensory-motor learning, planning,
and control. These neural network models encompass circuits in cortex,
basal ganglia, cerebellum, and the spinal cord. Our studies focus
on step-by-step reconstruction of known brain and CNS circuits within
the context of a quantitative functional theory of adaptive behavior
and cognition. Concepts and hypotheses are rigorously assessed by
comprehensive computer simulations of neural circuits that are specified
as systems of ordinary differential equations.
For more information regarding Daniel H. Bullock's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://cns-web.bu.edu/Profiles/Bullock.html
GAIL A. CARPENTER
Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems and Mathematics;
PhD, University of Wisconsin
Development of neural network models for self-organizing category
learning and pattern recognition; neural mechanisms of synaptic
transmission and adaptation; and systems that incorporate these
models into neural networks architectures for incremental supervised
learning and prediction. Also: Neural models of vision, nerve impulse
generation (Hodgkin-Huxley equations), transmitter dynamics, and
biological rhythms.
For more information regarding Gail A. Carpenter's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://cns.bu.edu/~gail/
STEPHEN GROSSBERG
Wang Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems, Professor of
Mathematics, Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering; Director,
Center for Adaptive Systems; Chairman, Department of Cognitive
and Neural Systems; PhD, Rockefeller University
Development of neural models of learning, recognition, memory, vision,
audition, speech, cognition, reinforcement, attention, adaptive
sensory-motor control, and biological rhythms. Systematic analysis
and prediction of behavioral and brain data in both normal and clinical
patients. Applications to outstanding technological problems.
For more information regarding Stephen Grossberg's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://cns-web.bu.edu/Profiles/Grossberg/
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PHYSICS: MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS
KENNETH J. ROTHSCHILD
Professor of Physics; Associate Professor of Physiology;
Director, Molecular Biophysics Laboratory and Molecular Biophysics
Training Program; PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research in the Molecular Biophysics Laboratory is focused on understanding
the molecular mechanism of membrane protein based receptors and
ion transport pumps. For this purpose, we are developing advanced
spectroscopic methods based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), resonance Raman spectroscopy and laser flash spectroscopy.
Systems under investigation in our laboratory include the nicotinic
acetylcholine receptor, a key component in neurotransmission; rhodopsin,
the receptor in vision and bacteriorhodopsin, a light driven proton
pump. Our research also involves the development of new in vitro
and recombinant DNA methods for the site-directed incorporation
of isotope labeled and non-native amino acids in proteins.
For more information regarding Kenneth J. Rothchild's
research and publications, please click on the following link:
http://physics.bu.edu/rothschild.html
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PHARMACOLOGY
DAVID H. FARB
Professor and Chairman of Pharmacology; PhD,
Brandeis University
Abnormal activation of amino acid receptors has been implicated
in the etiology of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression
and schizophrenia as well as of seizure disorders. Ongoing studies
in the Farb lab provide a strong foundation for constructing models
of steroid hormone interactions with excitatory and inhibitory amino
acid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This knowledge may
lead to new strategies for the treatment of psychiatric and cognitive
disorders. Although there is widespread medical and nonmedical use
(and abuse) of steroids, there is very little information concerning
the long-term effects of steroid exposure on the central nervous
system. Rational drug design in conjunction with structural computational
chemistry will be used to understand ligand receptor and DNA transcription
factor recognition.
Dr. Farb's lab studies focuses on the mechanism of
action of neuromodulators and on the structure, function, and cellular
dynamics of amino acid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Amino
acid receptor function can be controlled by direct modulation of
receptor function on the time scale of milliseconds to seconds and
by regulation of receptor expression by genomic mechanisms. The
role of neuroactive steroids in the control of GABA, glycine, and
glutamate (NMDA and non-NMDA) receptors is being investigated using
a multidisciplinary approach that includes the techniques of molecular
biology, patch-clamp neurophysiology, cell biology, and molecular
neuroanatomy. We have isolated segments of DNA from the human genome
that contain the genetic blueprint for the production of GABA receptors.
By determining the sequences for the regions of the gene that control
its expression, we hope to be able to identify receptor-specific
transcription factors and to design new classes of therapeutic agents
that may act by regulating the expression of neurotransmitter receptors
in the brain.
For more information regarding
David H. Farb's research and publications, please click on the following
link:
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/Dept/Content.aspx?departmentid=65&PageID=7756
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PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOPHYSICS
M. CARTER CORNWALL
Professor; PhD, University of Utah
The Cornwall laboratory studies the mechanisms of visual transduction
that relate to light- and dark-adaptation in the vertebrate retina.
Specific areas of study are: mechanisms of visual pigment regeneration
and dark adaptation of rods and cones; retinoid transport during
light and dark adaptation; role of interphotoreceptor matrix retinoid
binding protein (IRBP); calcium homeostasis during light- and dark-adaptation.
Techniques used routinely in the lab are: extracellular single cell
electrical recordings of rods and cones, microspectrophotometry
of visual pigments, whole-cell voltage clamp recording (in collaboration
with Dr. Hugh Matthews, University of Cambridge, England), and single
cell confocal calcium imaging (in collaboration with Dr. Gordon
Fain, UCLA).
For more information regarding
M. Carter Cornwall's research and publications, please click on
the following link:
http://biophysics.bumc.bu.edu/faculty/cornwall/
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